Floating solar panels are emerging as a promising clean energy solution but their environmental impacts vary by location, according to a new study.

Scientists stressed the need for continued research to ensure floating photovoltaic systems don’t compromise aquatic ecosystems.

Researchers from Oregon State University and the U.S. Geological Survey modeled the impact of floating solar panels on 11 reservoirs across six states.

They examined reservoirs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Ohio, Tennessee and Arkansas, analyzing two-month periods in both summer and winter.

The effects varied significantly depending on where the systems were deployed.

The simulations showed that the systems consistently cooled surface waters and altered water temperatures at different layers within the reservoirs.

The panels also introduced increased variability in habitat suitability for aquatic species.

“Different reservoirs are going to respond differently based on factors like depth, circulation dynamics and the fish species that are important for management,” said Evan Bredeweg, lead author of the study and a former postdoctoral scholar at OSU.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for designing these systems. It’s ecology — it’s messy,” Bredeweg added, in a news release.

While the floating solar panel market is established and growing in Asia, it remains limited in the U.S.

However, a study released earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that U.S. reservoirs could host enough floating solar panel systems to generate enough power for 100 million homes.

Floating solar panels offer several advantages.

The cooling effect of the water can boost panel efficiency by an estimated 5-15%. The systems also could be integrated with existing hydroelectric and transmission infrastructure.

The solar panels also may help reduce evaporation, which is especially valuable in warmer, drier climates.